Apparatus for the manufacture of printers  leads or slugs



Feb. 1 9, 1929. 1,702,528

w. A. WALTERS APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PRINTERS LEADS OR SLUGS Filed July 1, 1927 33 9 (gig-.1 45 13 19 1:: j 47 2 w I 15 @12 2? 52 Inventor A [for me y Patented Feb. 19, "i929.

UNITED FFICE.

'W'ILLIAI/I ANTHONY WALTERS, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SIMMONS L. CHEEK, OF BIBhUNGHAll/I, ALABAMA.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PRINTERS LEADS R SLUGS.

Application filed July 1,

My invention relates to an apparatus for the production of cast slugs or leads for printers use, and relates to that type ot machine in which an endless metal band co-acts with n grooved mold roll to form what may be termed a continuous mold inlo the top o1. which the molten metal is :i'ed in a graduated manner so as to maintain the moving mold cavity tilled with the molten metal.

Onefeature of my inventii'm relates to the mold roll itself which is formed with a shouldered recess deep enough to receive and center both the traveling mold band as well as tensioning rolls that hold the band prewed firmly against the bottom of the where it "forms the outer half of the mold.

Another feature of my invention relates to the provision of idlers which comluct the mold band forwardly from the mold roll so as to convey and deliver the finished molded lead to a cutter which severe it into the desired lengths.

My invention further contemplates a very simple and etl'ective means for adjusting the container for the molten metal so as to bring its discharge spout .into proper relation with the molded wheel.

My invention further conien'iplates the p rovision of an idler adapted to maintain the, tension on the endless mold band that co-acts with the mold roll and terms the outer or top half of the mold.

My invention further contemplates the utilization ot a rotating culler which (o-a ts with the flight .L BUG-1b or LllL endless mold band, serw ing as a C()11\'l ,'01 tor the molded article, to cut the latter into lengths and which is suitably geared to the mold roll so that it travels in positive relationship therewith and with equal peripheral speed.

lily invention contemplates conveying the molded article in strip form as it haves the mold roll on the endless band far enough to permit the molded article to solidity sulliciently for cutting before it is engaged by the cutting wheel.

My invention further contemplates the novel details of construction and arrangements of parts which, in their preferred embodiment only are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through the longitudinal center of the 1927. Serial No. 202,913.

machine with the melting pot shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line lll.l. o'li lei g. l.

8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view ol the mold showing the molded article therein.

Fig. is a fragmental view in side elevation 0'1. the cuttingand conveying mechanism for the molded material.

Similar relercnce nun'ierals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

in the embodiment of my invention illustrated, I show the apparatus formed by a pair of side frames comprising rear legs 5, intermediate legs i3 and forward legs 7 which rest upon a suitable support and are connected by longitudinal members 8, 9. 10 and 11. the lat ter connecting the legs 6 and 7. The side frames are suitably cross connected by transverse brace members 12, 13 and ll, thus providing an open-work frame of light structure and lllQXPOllSlVO to make in which the moving parts that will now be described can be suitably mounted.

in the heme legs (3 near the center I mount a drive. shaft 15 which at one end is connected to any suitable source of power, not slmwn, and carries fast thereon on one side oi the frame a gear 16 and on the other side a sprocket wheel 17. The gear 16 is adapted to mesh overhead with a gear 18 fast on a shaft if) and below it meshes a gear 20 fast on the shu it .31. The shafts 19 and .21Jturu in l1t;11lil;f.-4 :32 which are mounted in slots 23 1 roi ideil i the. legs 6 and are made adjustable towar is each other by adjusting screws El and 25. The meshing teeth on the gears 16, 18 :1 ml 20 are long enough to permit of the necessary relative adjustment of the shafts l9 and 2 1 to the shaft 15. I mount on the shaft 15 eentraliv oi. the frame an annular mold roll 26 having formed therein an annular mold cavity 21 of such cross-section as maybe des ed that shown being rectangular, which cavity disposed between the shoulders 28 which term the sides of the mold and which terminate flush with the base of the annular side flanges 29 which receive snugly between them the peripheries of the presser rolls 30 and 31 which are mounted respectively on the shafts 19 and 21. The peripheral edge of each of these rolls 30 and 31 is adapted to bear against an endless flexible mold band which fits snugly between the flanges 29 so as not to have play laterally. This band, after passing forwardly from between the mold roll and presser roll 31 is carried forwardly horizontally about an idler 33, rotatable on a fixed shaft 34 con-- necting the forward i rame legs 7. The band thence returns and passes under a tension idler 35 mounted in a hanger frame 3% hinged to the rear legs and thence passes up over an idler 3'? which is grooved and rotatably mounted on the fixed shaft 38 th. 1 connects therear legs 5. From the idler 3'? the band passes over the presser roll and thence about the mold roll for an arc of about 180 and thence continues in the le lit einabove described.

The mold roll has its forward halt left exposed and the mold cavity being torn'ied between its othe h and the endless band and into this ca i" at the top of the mold I introduce the molten metal through a nozzle 39 which is connected to the melting pot l0 containing the mol tell metal to be used for caatir he leads, slugs or strip material. The melting pot is mounted on a U-frame 41 having bearing blocks 42 thereon adapted to rest slidably on the top edges of the frame members 11. An adjust ing screw 4L3 has a swivel connection to the frame 41 at its center and is in threaded engagement at its outer end with an upturned lug 44 at the forward end of the frame member 11. A hand wheel 45 fast on the screw 43 provides for the ready adjustment of the melting pot toward and from the mold wheel so as to bring the nozzle into correct pouring position.

The mechanism for cutting the molded strip into sections comprises a cutter disk lli mounted fast on a shaft 4-7 which is journaled in the forward frame legs 7 and carries at one end a sprocket wheel driven -from the sprocket wheel 17 by a sprocket chain 49. The cutter disk has a diameter equal to the inner diameter or the mold cavity and the sprockets also have a like diameter whereby l positively drive the cutter disk with the same peripheral speed as that of the bottom of the mold. I mount in the periphery of the cutter dish 46, cutters 50, of which there may be as many as desired, according to the length into which the molded material is to be cut. [is shown. the cutter dish is provided with two cutter blades equidistantly spaced and its diameter is such that these blades will cut the molded strip into 24 lengths which is a standard for printers leads and slugs. That portion of the endless band 32 extending from the mold roll to the idler 33 provides a span of suilicient length to permit the exposed molded strip lying thereon to cool and harden suiiiciently for the cutting operation and thus avoids any transfer of the strip while fragile to any conveying mechanism.

In operation, having assembled the mecha greases nisin in the manner described and having adjusted the melting pot to the correct position, the drive is started and as the mold roll turns the presser rolls 30 and 31 turn therewith and press the endless band 32, which is held under tension by the idler 85, firmly against the shoulders 28 and thus provide tight closure tor the outer half of the mold. The mold thus provided is a traveling mold and into the upper portion thereof is directed a stream of molten metal which will solidity therein before it reaches the lower presser roll 31 so that the dened metal itself iorms the end cl sure oi. the mold and the nozzle will feed the molten metal ust fast enough to l-zeep the cavity tilled up. As the mold roll turns and t .10 molded strip 5i passes oil lying on top oi 1 ie endless band 32 it will ride tl'iercon until cools by which time it reaches the idler 33 nd cut r disk s36, where it is cut into standrd lengths described to form leads or slugs at, which are delivered to a conveyor or 'taclter 53 disposed. close enough to the idler 38 to support the outer end of a slug before it is cut oil. It will be noted that l employ a U considerable length of band not only to serve as a conveyor to lead the molded strip to the cutter, but also to provide a sul ficient length ot ban so that a portion thereof atter leaving the mold roll will be thoroughly cooled be'iore again coming into contact with the mold roll and thus l avoid the necessity of having to cool the mold because it the outer ban d is sufficiently cold it will itself chill the metal and the mold wheel will not get hot enough to prevent the metal chilling be ore reaching its discharge point. The design of the mold wheel 26 is such as to avoid undue storage of heat therein and to provide ample radiating surface.

The provision of the conveying portion. of the flight of the band has one important tunetion in that it will receive the thin delicate strip of metal which occurs when starting up and stopping the molding operation and will conduct this delicate strip to the cutter dist-z l the iull. sized molded strip appears. l i'iere conveyor is not pr vided the handling of this delicate initial. and terminal molded material is a very serious problem.

Though it have described with great particularity the details of the embodiment oi the invention herein shown, it is not to be construcd that. I am limited thereto as changes in arrangement and substitution of equivalents may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A molding machine of the character described, comprising an endless band, a grooved mold roll adapted to coact with said band throughout a portion of its periphery ll-L) to form a travelin mold, and means ntilizing the band to term a conveyor for the molded strip.

2. A molding apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with a cutter adapted to acton the molded strip while carried by said band as a conveyor.

8. A molding apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with a cutter adapted to act on the molded strip while carried by said band, said cutter being rotatable, and positive drive means for rotating it in synchronisni with the mold wheel.

l. A molding apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with a cutter adapted to act on'the molded strip while carried by said band. said cutter being rotatable, and positive drive means for rotating it in synchronisin with the mold wheel, the inner diaine ter of the mold and the outer diameter of the itter being equal.

5. A molding machine ot the character described, comprising open frame having near its center an annular mold roll, a plurality of guides at both ends and near the center of the machine about which an endless band is passed by which it is guided about a portion of the periphery of the mold roll, said band being elongated and having an extensive tree flight travel for effectively cooling it after co-acting with the mold roll to form a mold.

6. A molding apparatus of the character described, comprising a mold roll having an annular mold, an endless band eo-acting with a portion of the periphery of said roll to form a traveling mold, guides for said endless band adapted to give it a substantial flight apart from the mold roll, the said band throughout a portion of its flight serving as a conveyor for the molded strip, a cutter disk corresponding in diameter with the mold roll and adapted to co-act with the molded strip. and a positive driving connection for rotating the cutter with the same peripheral speed as the mold.

'4'. A. molding apparatus of the character described con'iprising a mold roll having an annular mold, an endless band coacting with a portion of the periphery of said roll to form a traveling mold. and a cutter disk driven in symhnmism with the mold roll and adapted to react with the molded strip.

8. A molding apparatus of the cha 'acter described comprising a mold roll having an annular mold. an endless band coactiug with a portion of the periphery of said roll to form a traveling mold and Serving throughout a portion of its flight as a conveyor for the molded strip, and a cutter disk driven in synchronism wi h the mold roll and adapted to court with the molded strip.

9. A molding apparatus of the character described comprising a mold roll having an annular mold, an endless band coacting with a portion of the periphery of said roll to lUllil a traveling mold and serving throughout a portion of its flight as a conveyor :tor the molded strip, an idler roller for the conveyer portion of the band, and a cutter disk driven in synchronisin with the mold roll and oacting with the molded strip and the idler roller to cut the strip into predetermined lengths,

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

lVILLIAM ANTHONY lVALTER-S. 

